IDED | Chapter 137

Episode 137

After a night like the calm before the storm, the day of the founding festival finally arrived.

As expected, the Duke attempted to use a subjugation spell on Lydia to make her submit. Despite his dwindling mana, he was desperate enough to try bribing even her.

However, the Duke was unaware—Lydia had a listening device on her finger.

She must have kept silent because she had been threatened that she would be burned alive the moment she spoke of it. Thanks to that, Lydia was playing the role of a double agent quite effectively.

— Serena Vincent is an Awakener?

— She… she is an Awakener, but she doesn’t know how to use magic. She only has the markings.

— There is no Awakener who cannot use magic. They just haven’t realized it yet.

As per Serena’s plan, the Duke seemed to have classified her as an unawakened Awakener.

Because of that, he remained cautious even until today. Though he seemed to be lying low, he was already a rat in a trap.

The Duke had no idea that we had already taken measures at the research facility. Since we had also secured the original copies, all that was left was to publicly execute him.

Serena quietly asked Azaid, who was dressed magnificently.

“Are you nervous?”

“No.”

“I was going to offer you a hug if you were.”

“Now that I think about it, I might be nervous.”

Azaid deliberately shivered and held out both hands. Seeing him act like this even while dressed so properly made it amusing. Serena slipped into his arms.

“You’ll do great. I’ll support you from the sidelines, so give them a solid blow.”

“Mm. I’ll do my best.”

Azaid hugged Serena tightly. A refreshing scent tickled his nose.

“If you give me a kiss for luck—”

“You sound like a complete scoundrel right now.”

“Come on, time is running out.”

Azaid leaned back and tilted his upper body forward. He even closed his eyes expectantly, making it impossible to refuse.

Smooch.

“Honestly, the world has no idea how childish their emperor is… mm.”

Before Serena could finish speaking, Azaid deepened the kiss. Asking for a simple kiss had clearly been an understatement.

His strong hands wrapped around Serena’s waist, pulling her close. His other hand ran through her soft hair, holding the back of her head in place.

“Ahem.”

Anna, who had been adjusting his outfit, quickly turned around. Though the clothes she had carefully arranged were getting wrinkled, the corners of her lips lifted in amusement.

“How affectionate.”

Thinking it was much better to see them being sweet than arguing, Anna made a mental note to inform Marie of this later.

“Y-Your Majesty, plea—”

The more Serena squirmed, the more mischievously Azaid refused to let go. The only sound he permitted to escape was hardly recognizable as speech.

After a long while, he finally pulled back, satisfied. When Serena wobbled, her legs weak, Azaid held her firmly.

“Careful now.”

“Well, someone wouldn’t let go, so I lost all my strength.”

“That won’t do. I’ll have to replenish your energy.”

As Azaid leaned in again, Serena quickly covered his mouth.

“I take it back! You’re too energetic already!”

“If I’m this energetic, shouldn’t we go for one more—”

“Are you serious right now?”

“Hahaha.”

When Serena smacked Azaid’s chest hard, he chuckled. His laughter was so smug that Serena smacked him even harder.

“Ouch. That one actually hurt.”

“It was meant to hurt!”

“A doctor who hurts people—what a disgrace to the profession.”

“Who are you to talk about qualifications? You’re infamous for neglecting your duties!”

As Serena raised her hand again, Azaid caught it midair and intertwined their fingers.

With her attack completely blocked, Serena’s eyes widened. Azaid brought her hand to his lips and murmured,

“Now that I’ve received plenty of good luck, I really feel like I’ll do well.”

“…Of course, Your Majesty.”

Half resigned, Serena simply watched as he pressed his lips to the back of her hand.

“Your Majesty, everyone is waiting.”

“Oh. It’s time already.”

Azaid reluctantly let go, his expression filled with regret. If Leonard hadn’t called from outside, it seemed he would have lingered even longer.

“Rena, once this is over, I’m going to dedicate all my energy to doing absolutely nothing.”

With that, Azaid stole one last kiss before marching out.

The founding festival was a formal event consisting of a procession, a ritual, and a banquet.

The emperor’s procession began at the Imperial Palace and continued to the Agnis Temple. There, offerings were placed on the altar, and the banquet lasted until they were fully consumed by fire.

Traditionally, the Croten imperial family, wielders of fire, used their own power to ignite the offerings.

Thus, the stronger the emperor’s flames, the longer the banquet, which in turn reinforced the emperor’s authority.

Previously, Azaid had stunned everyone by keeping the flames burning for nearly a month, earning him the title Emperor of Blue Flames.

But in reality, he had overexerted himself. Having ascended the throne suddenly, he needed to put on a show of strength to mask his shaky foundation.

Because of that, he had always found the founding festival stressful. Afterward, he would be completely drained and exhausted.

But this time was different. His once unstable mana core had fully stabilized, and he had a capable personal physician by his side.

Given his current condition, he could likely sustain the flames three times longer than before. Just then, the priest beside him spoke.

“Your Majesty, please ignite the fire.”

At that signal, blue flames flickered to life at Azaid’s fingertips, engulfing the altar.

“Waaaah!”

Cheers erupted as the festival officially began.

The Duke gritted his teeth as he watched the flames consuming the altar.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, he was forced to endure the founding festival with his hands tied.

Originally, this was supposed to be the moment when everyone witnessed the emperor barely managing to spark a weak flame.

The plan was to spread rumors that the gods had rejected the offering because the imperial family had betrayed Agnis.

Then, as a shortened banquet took place, he intended to unleash rampaging Awakeners one by one, eventually burning Azaid alive.

Afterward, he would declare that the Croten imperial family had betrayed the gods and that Greenwood, as their rightful successor, was chosen to take the throne.

Everything had been meticulously orchestrated, with no room for deviation. Even Sebastian, the Imperial Chamberlain, had been bribed to slowly suffocate the emperor’s power.

It was all just a matter of execution.

But now, the perfect plan had crumbled beyond control.

And the Duke now knew exactly when everything had begun to fall apart.

‘Serena Vincent. Ever since that woman entered the palace, everything has gone wrong.’

The moment he learned from Lydia that Serena was an Awakener, the Duke realized—she had unknowingly saved the emperor.

James, Nocturne… everyone who had come into contact with Serena had changed. It was almost certain now.

‘I never expected to fall victim to the saying ‘the darkest place is under the lamp.’’

The Duke regretted not investigating Serena sooner. He had only ever brushed past her—never taken the time to scrutinize her properly.

Watching Azaid bask in the crowd’s adulation, he bit his lower lip.

‘Laugh while you can. I may be retreating for now, but that throne belongs to me, not you.’

Yes. This was not a retreat—it was merely gathering momentum for his ultimate victory.

He had always risen from the shadows.

But no matter how much he suppressed it, the bitter taste of defeat remained.

With an unreadable expression, the Duke turned away. It was time to regroup and plan his next move.

“Let’s go.”

Just then, his aide urgently whispered,

“Your Grace, you must leave immediately. You’re being watched.”

“Watched?”

“The Emperor’s direct unit has just arrived at the temple.”

The Duke looked around in surprise. Now that he thought about it, there were more knights at the temple than usual.

No sooner had the words left his aide’s mouth than the Imperial Knights began to surround the altar.

“Do not panic.”

The Duke reprimanded his aide, struggling to maintain his composure. If they fled in fear merely because they were being watched, it would only arouse more suspicion.

He decided to leave under the pretext of his chronic illness before the ritual ended. Given the knights’ presence, they were unlikely to act recklessly during the ceremony.

However, the Duke didn’t get far before his path was blocked—by Leonard Carter.

“Duke Greenwood. The ritual is not yet over. Where do you think you are going?”

“I am feeling unwell, so I was going to return.”

“I’m afraid that won’t be possible. I cannot allow it.”

“By what authority do you stand in my way? How am I supposed to interpret this armed obstruction?”

“Interpret it however you like.”

“I will return to the castle!”

“No. Even after the ritual ends, you will not be allowed to return home.”

“What?”

“This is outrageous—step aside at once!”

Even the Duke’s aide raised his voice in anger, drawing the attention of those observing the ritual.

Leonard let out a deep sigh as he faced the two men, who seemed poised to cause a commotion.

“It would be best for you to wait until the ritual is over, Duke.”

“Why do you presume to make that decision? Move aside!”

The Duke shoved Leonard and took a step forward.

“Traitor Aaron Greenwood—halt your steps!”

At Leonard’s command, several knights drew their swords and pointed them at the Duke.

From atop the altar, Azaid watched the Duke with a triumphant smile on his face.